Campanula plant named &#39;PKM04&#39;

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of  Campanula  plant named ‘PKM04’ characterized by its upright, freely branching and compact growth habit and bicolored (white/violet) broad campanulate flowers.

Latin name of genus and species of the plant claimed: Campanula hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘PKM04’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCampanula plant, botanically known as Campanula hybrid, common nameBellflower and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘PKM04’.

The new Campanula originated from a planned cross between two differentCampanula species; the female parent being an unnamed, proprietaryCampanula variety (unpatented) and the male parent being an unnamed,proprietary Campanula variety (unpatented). The initial crossing wasperformed in 2012 by the Inventor, followed by further testing andselection in 2013 after vegetative propagation.

Vegetative propagation was performed by terminal cuttings taken andpropagated in Søhus, Denmark. Asexual reproduction of the new Campanulacultivar by terminal cuttings has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘PKM04’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘PKM04’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Upright and freely branching growth habit;    -   2. Bicolored flowers.    -   3. Compact growth with no need for growth regulators

Plants of the cultivar ‘PKM04’ can be compared to plants of theCampanula ‘PKM03’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 14/544,525).In side-by-side comparisons conducted by the Inventor in Søhus, Denmark,‘PKM04’ and ‘PKM03’ differ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘PKM04’ produce smaller plants than ‘PKM03’.    -   2. ‘PKM04’ has darker purple flowers than ‘PKM03’.    -   3. ‘PKM04’ has darker green leaves than ‘PKM03’    -   4. ‘PKM04’ has much less pollen than ‘PKM03’, thus the purple        styles are visible whereas the styles of ‘PKM03’ are covered        with yellowish pollen.

Data on plants of the parent varieties is no longer available forcomparison with plants of the new cultivar Campanula ‘PKM04’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Campanula ‘PKM04’, showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description, which more accuratelydescribe the actual colors of ‘PKM04’.

FIG. 1: The photograph comprises a side perspective view of a typicalflowering plant of ‘PKM04’, as grown in a 10.5 cm pot.

FIG. 2: The photograph comprises a close-up view of a typicalinflorescence of ‘PKM04’.

FIG. 3: The photograph comprises a side perspective view of typicalflowering plants of ‘PKM04’ and ‘PKM03’, as grown in a 10.5 cm pot.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Campanula ‘PKM04’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may varywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, daylength, growth regulator treatment and fertility level without anyvariance in genotype.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the followingobservations, measurements and values describe plants of the newCampanula ‘PKM04’ as grown under greenhouse conditions in a 10.5 cm pot.

The age of the ‘PKM04’ plants described is about 14 weeks afterpropagation. Color references are made to The Royal HorticulturalSociety Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 5^(th) edition, except where generalcolors of ordinary significance are used.

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Campanula hybrid.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female or seed parent.—Unnamed proprietary variety of            Campanula (unpatented).        -   Male or pollen parent.—Unnamed proprietary variety of            Campanula (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type cutting.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots.—About 10 to 14 days at 18 to 21° C.            in tunnels in a greenhouse.        -   Root description.—Fine, well branched.-   Plant description:    -   -   Form.—Upright growth habit and overall globular shape.            Freely branching with basal shoots. No pinching required.        -   Crop time.—After rooting, about 14 weeks are required to            produce finished flowering plants in up to 11 cm pots.        -   Plant height (from soil level to top of plant plane).—up to            15 cm.        -   Plant spread (width).—Up to 24 cm.        -   Vigor.—Good. Average growth rate.        -   Lateral branches.—Number per plant: 10-15 Length: up to 14            cm (including flowers) Diameter: ca 3 mm Internode length:            5-15 mm.        -   Stem.—Shape: Round-edged Strength: Stiff Color: Green, as            leaf blade Pubescence: None Lactate: a limited quantity of            white lactate is produced.-   Foliage description:    -   -   Quantity per lateral branch.—5-10.        -   Leaf arrangement.—Single, alternate.        -   Leaf shape.—Basal: Cordate Apical: Elliptic to ovate.        -   Leaf tip.—Acute (Apical and Basal leaves).        -   Leaf base.—Basal: Cordate Apical: Acute to Obtuse.        -   Leaf length.—Basal: up to 30 mm Apical: 10-15 mm.        -   Leaf width.—Basal: up to 30 mm Apical: 10 mm.        -   Pubescence.—: None.        -   Margin.—Dentate to Serrate, more prominent on basal than            apical leaves.        -   Color.—Upper Surface, RHS N137A, Green. Lower Surface, RHS            138B, Green.        -   Venation.—Pattern: Pinnipalmate Color: Upper Surface: same            as leaf blade, green Lower Surface: same as blade.        -   Petiole.—Length: Basal: up to 50 mm Apical: 0-10 mm            Diameter: 1-2 mm Color: same as leaf blade, green.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Flower arrangement and shape.—Broad campanulate flowers.            Upright to spreading arrangement. Inflorescences are            panicles.        -   Flower longevity.—Longevity of individual flowers is highly            dependent on temperature and light conditions; average about            2-3 weeks. Flowers persistent. Natural flowering season            spring to early summer.        -   Inflorescence size.—Length: up to 10 cm.        -   Flowers.—Quantity per inflorescence: 12-16 Length: about 20            mm Diameter: 30-40 mm Arrangement and Shape: Single,            sympetalous, campanulate. Upright to outward facing. Petal            Color: Inner surface: Base: NN155B , White Apex: RHS 88B,            Violet. Outer surface: Base: RHS NN155B Apex: RHS 91B.            Little darker/more intense at the apex than at the base            Color does not fade. Petal number: 5, fused at lower half            Petal Shape: Obtuse lobes Petal Margin: Entire Petal Apex:            Acute Lobe Length: up to 13 mm lobes Lobe Width: 10-13 mm            maximum on lobes Petal texture: Smooth Fragrance: None.        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Free. Appearance: Glabrous Quantity per            flower: 5 Length: 5-8 mm. Width: 2 mm. Overall shape:            Deltoid. Apex: Acute. Margin: Entire. Color (mature and            immature): Upper and lower surfaces: Green, as leaf blade.            Pedicel: Length: 5-10 mm Diameter: About 1 mm Color: Green,            as leaf blade.        -   Buds.—Length: Up to 15 mm Diameter: Up to 7 mm Shape:            Oblong, ridged Color: Changes from yellow-green to nearly            88B at the apex. Coloration of buds starts at the tip.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Pistil.—Quantity: 1 Length: 15-20 mm.        -   Style.—Length: 12-18 mm Color: almost white at base (lower            half), darker purple than petal upper part in the upper            half.        -   Ovary.—Color: Green, RHS N137A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Tripartite Color: Greyish Stamen: Number: 5            Anther: Size: 5 mm Color: yellow to light brown Pollen:            Amount: None to very little.-   High/low temperature tolerance: Plant is not frost tolerant.-   Disease resistance and/or susceptibility: Not tested.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Campanula hybrid plant named‘PKM04’, as illustrated and described herein.